Sample Sale to Increase Awareness of Deadly Disease
Long Beach, Calif.–based apparel manufacturer Bellablu is putting fashion to work in the hope of creating awareness of a rare but deadly disease, multiple myeloma.
Designer and owner Flavia Hiatt is working with the International Myeloma Foundation to host a series of “Shop for the Cure” sample sales to benefit the IMF.
Multiple myeloma, a form of cancer, attacks blood cells and bone marrow and often goes undetected. “People often don’t know they have the disease,” Hiatt said. “There are no symptoms.” Although the disease is currently incurable, early detection and treatment are key.
Hiatt, who lost her husband, Kerry Hiatt, to the disease in April, will host a sixth sample sale on Oct. 8 at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. “We want to continue to raise awareness,” she said.
“Right now, even some doctors are not aware of multiple myeloma.”
The “Shop for the Cure” sample sales raise money for advocacy, awareness and research. “We invite different designers to participate,” said Hiatt. “They each get their own booth and can sell whatever they want—clothing, shoes, accessories—and the designers decide what percentage of their profit they want to donate.”
Attendees are also encouraged to make a donation to the IMF. The sale will be held 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 8 in the boardroom and on the mezzanine at the hotel at 360 N. Rodeo Drive. To participate or attend, call (562) 423-3100. —Erin Barajas
